Suction device, able to store yarn, for controlling a source of supply

ABSTRACT

A yarn storing suction device including supply rolls, draw-off rolls, a rotatable suction cylinder and at least one scanning device to register the presence of the yarn on the suction device and to cooperate with the supply means and draw-off means to keep the accumulation of yarn on the suction device between two set values.

United States Patent [191 Collausig [451 Sept. 23, 1975 SUCTION DEVICE, ABLE TO STORE YARN,

FOR CONTROLLING A SOURCE OF SUPPLY [75] Inventor: Giampaolo Collausig,Pordenone,

Italy [73] Assignee: Officine Savio, S.p.A., Pordenone,

Italy [22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 452,392

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. l6, 1973 Italy 83336/73 Jan. 29, 1974 Italy 83310/74 [52] US. Cl. 226/42; 226/95; 226/118 [51] Int. Cl. B65H 17/20 [58] Field of Search 226/42, 43, 95, 118

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,112,054 ll/l963 Fleissner 226/95 3,236,429 2/l966 Klein 226/1 l8 X 3,391,840 7/l968 King 226/45 X Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT A yarn storing suction device including supply rolls, draw-off rolls, a rotatable suction cylinder and at least one scanning device to register the presence of the yarn on the suction device and to cooperate with the supply means and draw-off means to keep the accumulation of yarn on the suction device between two set values.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SUCTION DEVICE, ABLE TO STORE YARN, FOR CONTROLLING A SOURCE OF SUPPLY The present invention relates to a suction device, adapted to store yarn so that it can control a source of supply. More particularly, the present invention deals with an improved rotating suction cylinder which makes it possible for the speed of supply of any source present upstream from the cylinder itself to be linked to the quantity of yarn present on the cylinder.

Suction cylinders are known which consist of a hollow cylinder with holes in it, through which fluid is drawn to hold material on the surface of the cylinder. The use of such cylinders in the processing of natural or synthetic yarns is known, with the stock of yarn which accumulates on the rotating cylinder acting as a flywheel between a source of supply and a point of use.

The device which is the subject of the present invention creates a rotating suction cylinder with further new useful features.

The first useful feature lies in the fact that, by scanning the stock present on the rotating cylinder, it is possible to obtain signals, which regulate the speed of supply at the source positioned upstream from the device.

A further useful feature lies in the fact that with the same signal it is possible to regulate the speed of rotation of the cylinder itself.

In accordance with one variant, it is possible to arrange a supplementary scanning device, which will emit a signal to halt the point of use when the accumulation deposited on the rotating cylinder drops below a certain permitted minimum value.

In accordance with another variant, it is possible to arrange supplementary scanners which will emit a signal to halt the source of supply when the accumulation deposited on the rotating cylinder reaches a maximum permitted value.

A further advantage of the present invention lies in its arranging, for two scanning operations instead of one of the accumulation to be carried out on the cylinder at a pre-set distance apart with the emission of signals which tend to keep the size of the normal accumulation within such limits.

In accordance with a further improved formulation, it is also possible to carry out a check on the quantity of yarn present on the cylinder by checking the angle of withdrawal of the yarn from the cylinder, it being also possible under this last formulation to simplify the construction of the suction cylinder.

These useful features, together with further new useful features and advantages are attained, as will be seen hereafter in the description, by a suction device, able to store yarn and suitable for controlling a source of supply, whereby the device arranges supply means and draw-off means working in cooperation with a rotating suction cylinder which includes at least one device for scanning the presence of yarn, said scanning device cooperating with said supply means and draw-off means and also with the motor means of the rotating suction cylinder to keep the accumulation of yarn within two pre-set values.

The present invention will now be more clearly described by way of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one prospective embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a further prospective embodiment of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates still a further prospective embodiment of the device of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the cylinders of FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIGS. 1-4 the same reference numera ls are applied to the same parts or to parts with the same function.

With reference to FIGS. l-3, yarn 10 is taken from any source of supply by feeder rollers l 1 and deposited in a formless manner, on the cylinder 12 with holes to create a stock 13 between the feed roll 1 1 and the point of use designated as 14. The usage point is represented here in a diagrammatic and synthetic manner by the draw roll 14 since it can take various forms.

The cylinder 12 with holes rotates in the direction 15, and its suction is produced by the conduit 16 partially surrounding the cylinder and connected to suction device 27, activated by the motor 28 by means of a further conduit schematically illustrated by 17.

In accordance with FIG. 1, the stock 13 is inspected by only one scanning device, said scanning device constituting an inspection station and consisting of a photoelectric cell 18, which is activated by the source of light 19 when the stock 13 recedes to such an extent that it no longer obstructs the ray of light, which divides up the surface 29 of the cylinder 12 and is close thereto.

While the stock existing on cylinder 12 also extends downstream from the ray of light coming from the source 19 and touching the surface .of the cylinder, there is no intervention. However, when the accumulation 13 recedes to such an extent as to be spread only in the area upstream from the ray of light, then the photoelectric cell 18 is activated and emits a signal, which acts on the motor means 22 through an electrical circuit of a type which is known and therefore not shown here, and thus makes the source of supply 11 speed up, until the accumulation again extends downstream from the ray of light and obstructs it. The signal emitted may, for example, bring about a low speed instead of a high speed or vice-versa in a two-speed electric motor.

Diverse variants are possible. Thus the source of light 19 and the photoelectric cell 18 of the inspection station may be replaced by an air jet or by a microcontact capable of inspecting the presence of the yarn and of feeling its width.

Again, there could be two or more inspection stations instead of only one, as shown.

In such a caseit would be possible to arrange an inspection station close to the edge 20 so as to verify that an excessive amount of accumulation is not created on the cylinder 12.

It also would be possible to arrange two stations (see FIG. 2), suitably spaced apart so as to keep the accumulation 13 within the maximum and minimum values contained within the space between the minimum level station 18-19 and the maximum-level station 25-26.

Furthermore, it would be possible to arrange an inspection station close to the arrival point of the yarn 10 on the drum so as to verify that the accumulation does not go down below a minimum safety level. Since the devices here proposed require a drum which is well rectified and well centered on its axis, an inspection station could be provided to scan the position of the yarn where it is drawn off, 21.

If this is done, there is no longer any need for the cylinder to be accurately machined. In accordance with the present invention, such a device is set out in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 the yarn 21 being withdrawn passes through a ring 30 before proceeding to the usage point 14. This ring 30 conditions an unwinding arc a, which subtends the field of variation of the stock 13. This arc a is checked by two scanning devices, which in FIG. 3 consist of two groups, namely 18-19 and 25-26 which are affected by the yarn when the latter reaches the limits of the said arc a, said limits being indicated with 34 and 35.

Thus, if the yarn 21 being wound off is moving more swiftly than its supply, the withdrawal point of the stock 13 moves backwards and yarn 21 goes outside the extremity 34 of the are a and leaves it. The scanner 18-19 picks up this result and arranges to increase the speed of supply of the delivery source. The scanner also may increase the speed of the motor means 24. Vice-versa, when the yarn 21 goes beyond the line 35, the scanner 25-26 can increase the withdrawal speed of the usage point by acting on the motor means 23. It also could act on or only act on the motor means 24 and 22 and slow them up.

An improved cylinder 12, suitable for the purpose, is shown in FIGS. 2-4. Therein cylinder 12, supported by the shaft 31, is affected by suction on only a part of its circumference owing to the casing 32. This casing 32 produces the required seal with the felts 33, which slide on the cylinder 12. I

Some preferred embodiments of the suction device have been described, but other embodiments are possible without departing from the essence of the invention. Thus it is possible to modify the shape and dimensions of the cylinder, the number and type of the scanners, the type of the source of supply and the type of the usage point without departing thereby from the essence and field of protection of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Yarn storing suction device comprising yarn supply means, yarn draw-off means, a rotatable suction cylinder positioned between said supply means and said draw-off means to accumulate yarn on the surface thereof, at least one scanning device positioned to register the presence of yarn on said suction device and control the accumulation by producing signals regulating said supply means and draw-off means to keep the accumulation of yarn between two pre-set values.

2. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning device scans on the surface of the suction cylinder and along the longitudinal generating line of said suction cylinder.

3. The device as in claim 1, including two scanning devices which scan the yarn being withdrawn at each extremity of an arc covering the straddle of the accumulation of yarn.

4. The device as in claim 1, including two scanning devices one for scanning the minimum extent of the accumulation of yarn and substantially linked to motor means operatively connected to said supply and drawoff means so as to increase the accumulation of yarn while the other scanning device scans the maximum extent of the accumulation of yarn operatively linked to motor means for the supply and draw-off means and suction cylinder so as to reduce the accumulation of yarn.

5. The device as in claim 1, including motor means which are two-speed electric motors.

6. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of a source of light and a photoelectric cell.

7. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of an air-type device to scan proximity.

8. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of a microswitch. 

1. Yarn storing suction device comprising yarn supply means, yarn draw-off means, a rotatable suction cylinder positioned between said supply means and said draw-off means to accumulate yarn on the surface thereof, at least one scanning device positioned to register the presence of yarn on said suction device and control the accumulation by producing signals regulating said supply means and draw-off means to keep the accumulation of yarn between two pre-set values.
 2. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning device scans on the surface of the suction cylinder and along the longitudinal generating line of said suction cylinder.
 3. The device as in claim 1, including two scanning devices which scan the yarn being withdrawn at each extremity of an arc covering the straddle of the accumulation of yarn.
 4. The device as in claim 1, including two scanning devices one for scanning the minimum extent of the accumulation of yarn and substantially linked to motor means operatively connected to said supply and draw-off means so as to increase the accumulation of yarn while the other scanning device scans the maximum extent of the accumulation of yarn operatively linked to motor means for the supply and draw-off means and suction cylinder so as to reduce the accumulation of yarn.
 5. The device as in claim 1, including motor means which are two-speed electric motors.
 6. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of a source of light and a photoelectric cell.
 7. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of an air-type device to scan proximity.
 8. The device as in claim 1, in which the scanning devices consist of a microswitch. 